After nearly a decade of delays and legal battles, plans for 28 new homes on Head Street in the village of Tintinhull, near Yeovil, have been approved by local councillors for the fourth time.
Originally, Abbey Manor Homes Ltd. secured outline planning permission in October 2017 following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The site, situated between Yeovil and the A303, then changed hands to Orwell Ltd., who submitted amended proposals in July 2020. These were initially approved by Somerset Council’s planning committee south in October 2023 and again in October 2024, when affordable housing was removed from the development amid concerns about viability.
A significant legal development arose in October 2025, when the Supreme Court ruled that developments with outline planning consent prior to August 2020 would not require phosphate mitigation—a measure previously mandated to protect the Somerset Levels and Moors from environmental damage. This ruling directly impacts the Tintinhull site, lifting the phosphate mitigation obligation in addition to confirming the removal of affordable housing.
READ MORE: Roads Remain Flooded in Somerset and Dorset Amid Persistent Rainfall
READ MORE: Man Arrested Following Fatal Incident on A38 in Somerset
The phosphates crisis had caused widespread delays across more than 50 proposals in the former South Somerset area, putting around 12,000 homes on hold. The Supreme Court’s decision follows a legal challenge related to the Jurston Fields development in Wellington, clearing the way for councils to approve previously stalled projects.
The planning committee south reviewed the Tintinhull applications on December 16, 2025, with the recording of the meeting recently made public. Steve Creaney, chairman of Tintinhull Parish Council, expressed concern over ongoing changes, emphasizing the growth in local traffic, the establishment of a special needs school, and increased activity at nearby playing fields—all factors that warrant revisiting highway safety.
Councillor John Bailey, representing the nearby Martock division, called for a new viability study to determine if affordable housing could still be delivered on the site. He stressed the importance of ten affordable homes for a small community like Tintinhull.
David Norris of Boon Brown Architects, representing Orwell Ltd., explained that the affordability challenges stem in part from a 25% increase in building costs over three years versus a mere 1% rise in house prices. He underscored the difficulties the developer faced in advancing the scheme over the last five years.
Other councillors highlighted the Supreme Court ruling’s clarity and expressed regret over the loss of affordable housing caused by phosphate mitigation delays. Councillor Oliver Patrick lamented the impact of the prolonged phosphate approach, voicing disappointment that affordable homes are not part of the current development.
After a brief discussion, the committee unanimously approved the amended plans. Notably, a further viability assessment will be conducted once 90% of the homes are occupied. Should the site’s viability improve by that stage, the developer is expected to make a financial contribution to affordable housing initiatives elsewhere in the area.